Clicker Training for Dogs

[Buffyblue]

Does anyone do it? Can you recommend any good books or kits to get me started with my two Aussies? I did buy a little $2 clicker a few months ago at Petsmart but it didn't work right (didn't hold the setting and was hard to click) and I only got a small pamphlet with it that basically told me nothing!

I'd like the girls to have some fun learning some tricks. Thanks! :)

[Bluey]

Good place to start:

http://www.clickertraining.com/

Remember, this kind of learning theory, called operant conditioning, was named "clicker training" because it uses a bridge between the action and your accepting that action, as a marker, a more specific and simple, not intrusive one, as a voice may be, that can be full of different meanings the dog has to sift thru.

This kind of training is not at all about the clicker, but about a way to work where you involve the student directly in the learning in an acive way, not passive.

Most dog clubs today have clicker training classes.
You may want to ask who around your area provides dog training classes to the public and you should find someone training with these techniques.

Good luck and have fun.:)

[Nezzy]

my hubby has worked with our horses and our dogs in the past. it is a very effective training tool. I think there is a book called " Don't Shoot The dog". we learned from a Clicker book for horses, but all the basics apply.

[Edgewood]

Here is an excellent site on clicker training and you can work you dog up the levels in difficultly

http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/%20Dog1/levels.html

[Silvercrown90]

Leerburg.com has a good DVD video regarding clicker training (aka marker training). I purchased the DVD and thought it was very informative. It was $35. They also have a short e-Book about marker training. Here is a link to the e-Book:

http://leerburg.com/markers.htm

Sharon
http://www.coolfitwear.com

[wildlifer]

The book "Click for Joy" is excellent.

[Buffyblue]

Thanks for all the suggestions. My agility teacher recommended this website : http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?

There are 5 or 6 clickers and maybe 20 books! Anything look good here? Thanks!

[Buffyblue]

Ok. I made up my mind and this is what I ordered:

http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1216&ParentCat=57

[Bluey]

Ok. I made up my mind and this is what I ordered:

http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1216&ParentCat=57

Once you get good with the idea of how that training works, you ought to try it with your horse.

I have a friend that taught her horse to do reining spins out in the pasture, without even a halter, just by clicking for the moves.
She inadvertedly clicked for low head as he was spinning also and then had to fade that behavior out, as he was practically dragging his nose on the ground in the spins.:lol:

He is really good at it too.:cool:

[threedogpack]

Does anyone do it? Can you recommend any good books or kits to get me started with my two Aussies? I did buy a little $2 clicker a few months ago at Petsmart but it didn't work right (didn't hold the setting and was hard to click) and I only got a small pamphlet with it that basically told me nothing!

I'd like the girls to have some fun learning some tricks. Thanks! :)

check out www.shirleychong.com

the keeper pages.

Shirley is an outstanding trainer.

[threedogpack]

Here is an excellent site on clicker training and you can work you dog up the levels in difficultly

http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/%20Dog1/levels.html

Sue also has a Training Level Group at Yahoo Groups.

The Training Levels is a good progression training site, but it's not a "how to clicker train" site.

For how to clicker train, check out Clicker Solutions, Wagntrain and clickertraining.com

[Buffyblue]

Interesting website for sure! Some of the "games" look like lots of fun. Way more information than I can digest right now! I didn't see a link to the Yahoo Group, however.

[threedogpack]

Interesting website for sure! Some of the "games" look like lots of fun. Way more information than I can digest right now! I didn't see a link to the Yahoo Group, however.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/traininglevels/

[mjmvet]

I love Shirley Chongs website - I taught my horse to fetch using her methods that she outlines in the 'Keeper' files. For horse info, I like Alexandra Kurlands books/videos. This website is also FULL of information:

http://www.equineclickertraining.com/

Really, the science of operant conditioning works for any species. It's a good exercise to try to train other species than the one you start with. I particularly like training cats - if you click at the wrong time, you'll never get the behavior you want with a cat. They're less forgiving of sloppy technique, so you really have to get it right. Great practice! Have fun,
M

[RiverBendPol]

Clicker training is the greatest. I learned how when I was training a puppy for Service. This is the clicker I like best: http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=870
Then add a coil so you can wear it around your wrist. Takes practice and coordination. Clicks at the wrong time will only serve to confuse you both. Be sure you have tiny treats which can be consumed fast and easily-bits of cheese are better than carrot, for instance. Tiny bits work better than big chunks. It is less the treat and more the fact that the click is followed by the act of treating, if you see what I mean...I have not trainied with the clicker for 6 months but pulled it out the other day. Just the sound of the plastic thing bumping its way out of the drawer had my dog at attention. They LOVE it.
Horses too. I c/t ed my horse to take his medicine by dose syringe politley. He's a perfect patient now. My old horse used to retrieve his Jolly Ball for me when I asked, all bc of the clicker.